HOCKEY: It's a good weekend for Ipswich hockey as both the men's and women's teams rack up comfortable wins. Reports of this plus all the rest of the local hockey action.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

Ipswich 7 Trojans 0

IPSWICH fired a warning to the rest of the Women's English Hockey League Premier Division with a seven-goal demolition of newly-promoted Trojans.

Even so, it was the visitors who created the early opportunities, with Ipswich keeper Hannah Robinson keeping out shots from Alex Danson.

Ipswich played with excellent discipline and gradually took complete control.

The home midfield kept possession of the ball, drawing in the Trojans defence, then linking with the forwards Sarah Bamfield and Tanya Barnard, who both scored hat-tricks.

For both it was the first time they had achieved the feat in league matches. The seventh goal came from Lizzie Aldous.

Trojans maintained three forwards high in the Ipswich half in the hope of scoring on the counter-attack but could not break the defensive line of Waddleton, Spooner, Spencer, Anderson and Muir.

The final scoreline will be a bitter blow to the confidence of the newcomers, but Ipswich were commanding in their team play.

Cambridge University 0 Ipswich II 2

DESPITE taking all three points and maintaining their unbeaten start in the Printwize East Premier League Ipswich are aware that the scoreline does not tell the whole story.

The match started at frenetic pace and the students used all their pace and enthusiasm to keep Ipswich on the back foot.

Ipswich found it hard to keep the ball and the students started to create chance after chance. However, the new defensive unit of Katie Lawrence, Amanda Little, Dawn Course and Becky Lawrence held firm and with some outstanding keeping by Kate Bond the students were kept at bay.

Within ten minutes of the re-start Ipswich gained a well-earned short corner and captain Emma Millar deflected a well-struck shot by player of the match Sarah Juggins past a stranded Cambridge keeper.

The students after creating so many chances were shell-shocked and their game started to fall apart. But only several last minute crucial tackles by a hard working defence kept the Cambridge side out.

With five minutes left another sweeping move involving the outstanding Debbie Rawlinson saw Ipswich gain another short corner. This time it was Jo Gray who pounced on another Juggins rebound shot to finally claim all three points.

The students were left feeling rather hard done by but the experience of Ipswich and their ability to take their chances should be a lesson to them.

Ipswich worked hard for this result and with several new players settling in it was a very satisfying result. Newcomers Folkestone will prove an unknown test at home on Saturday but on this form Ipswich will have nothing to fear.

After last week's demolition of local rivals Bury, Ipswich will go into this match full of confidence. The core of the team remains unchanged, but the squad will be missing Lucy Philip and Sally Tyrell both having other commitments.

Able cover will be provided in the shape of Katie Lawrence, promoted from the third team, and Charlotte Anderson, a talented youngster who showed promise last season.

Carlton Park II 3 Ipswich IV 0

CARLTON Park midfielder Emma Sampson scored the first goal just before half-time.

Ipswich Ladies started the second half with several breaks on the right wing, but Carlton Park's defence proved too strong.

Pressure then reverted to the other end of the pitch and a strike from Sally Goddard was deflected into the net by Marion Walker.

With time ticking away, Amanda Magotte zoomed down the right wing and with a clean strike scored the final goal.

Bury 1 Christchurch 1

CHRISTCHURCH, unbeaten in the league knew they would face their toughest test so far.

Although goalkeepers were not tested, both defences proved resilient, with the visitors' defence of Kathryn Smith, Caroline Right and Sam Dean looking particularly strong.

Christchurch came close to scoring when Becky Gray met a terrific cross from the left, only to see the ball travel inches wide.

Just before the interval, Bury followed up a half-cleared shot to take a precious lead.

Christchurch started the second half in determined mood knowing they were unlucky to be a goal down and from initially a short corner Debbie Clements struck home a superb shot to level.

In the centre of midfield Lesley Elsom continued to drive Christchurch forward.

It was a fair result in the heat.

Christchurch II 3 Sudbury III 1

CHRISTCHURCH gained another league victory in an eventful match.

In the fifth minute Sudbury failed to deal with a ball across their goalmouth and Lenore Devenish-Meares swept in to score.

The Sudbury keeper made a series of fine saves from the sprightly Joyce Jay and bustling Margaret Gray.

The second half saw Joyce Jay and Margaret Gray continue to dominate upfront for Christchurch, and Cath McInerney provided midfield cover on her return to the side.

Deborah Munro hammered the ball home to make it 2-0, but Janet Bendy converted a penalty flick. A fracas resulted in a player from each side being dismissed.

Margaret Gray touched home a cross which rewarded her efforts as Christchurch settled the victory.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Harleston Magpies 1 Ipswich 4

IPSWICH men got off to a tremendous start with two early goals.

Magpies seconds then began to play hockey that they are capable of with Tom Sumner linking well with midfield and forwards to create good chances.

The three youngest players on the pitch cut through the Ipswich defence for Tim Whiteman to coolly chip the goalkeeper to pull a goal back.

Magpies' lack of substitutes and a young side meant they could not keep up the pace as they conceded two more goals.